Cavs: Pros, cons of potentially trading for Ben Simmons

The case against the Cavs trying to acquire Simmons

Although he converts shots at a rate of 56.0 percent, Ben Simmons cannot shoot the basketball. There is no kinder way to put it. This is an aspect of his game that any team interested in trading for him has to accept.

Pretty much all of his attempts come from within the painted area. He’s a career 14.7 percent shooter from three-point range and although he managed to can 30.0 percent of his attempts this season, he’s not attempting enough of them (10) to warrant any optimism regarding progression.

His shot has gotten so bad that he could potentially change his shooting hand, per a report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. That would point to major confidence issues which most assuredly would carry over to his new team.

Shooting struggles aside, the biggest issue with such a deal is the near certainty that Cleveland would need to surrender Sexton or Garland in addition to the third overall pick. That’s a lot to give up to acquire a player as offensively limited as Simmons.

Another possible issue that could arise would be what his role would be. Would he line up at the point or the 4? One would assume that if you were to give up Sexton, Garland would want to be the lead guard and rightfully so.

That would truly leave Simmons unsure about his position on the court. Conversely, if the Cavs surrendered Garland, then Sexton would assuredly play the role that he did this past season, seeing more time as a full-time two-guard than anything else.

So all things considered, should the Cavaliers seek a trade for Simmons?